Immersion Blender Side-Port Interlock for Hands-Free Bowl Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hand blenders are difficult to control, leading to user fatigue and performance issues, and they often have cumbersome and expensive permanently mounted handles or stand-alone mixing pot solutions that pose safety and sanitary concerns.
Innovation Solution
A mixing appliance assembly with a housing, motor, and shaft that includes a top handle with a pulse button and continuous run switch, a side port with an interlocking feature for activating continuous run without resetting the on/off switch, and a bowl clamp for secure attachment to a mixing bowl, allowing for hands-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanently mounted handle or stand-alone mixing pot mounting solution is used, then the device provides stable operation, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side port is designed to accept multiple types of attachments including bowl clamps, secondary handles, and other accessories. This universal interface allows a single component structure to serve multiple functions, providing stable operation through proper mounting while avoiding the need for permanently mounted handles or complex stand-alone mixing pot solutions.
2Ease of operation
If an on/off switch with pulse button is used, then the device can be controlled, but the user must reset the switch after each pulse which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically changes its state based on the attachment detected in the side port. When a bowl clamp is detected, the system automatically enables continuous run mode, allowing the motor to remain on without requiring the user to repeatedly press the pulse button or reset the switch. This dynamic adaptation improves productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the side port accepts any attachment, then the device is versatile, but safety concerns arise without proper interlocking
Solution Approach 1:
An interlock switch serves as an intermediary component between the side port attachments and the motor control system. This intermediary detects whether a bowl clamp or side handle is properly engaged and only allows continuous run mode when appropriate attachments are present. This maintains versatility by accepting various attachments while preventing unsafe operation modes.
4Extent of automation
If the bowl clamp secures the housing to the bowl, then hands-free operation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bowl clamp is designed as a separate, removable attachment that interfaces with the side port rather than being an integrated permanent component. This segmentation allows the hands-free operation capability to be added to the device without permanently increasing its complexity, as the clamp can be detached when not needed and the side port can accommodate other attachments.
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing appliance assembly includes a housing, which includes a motor and shaft operably coupled with the motor and extending outwardly from the housing. A top handle is operably coupled with a top end of the housing and includes a pulse button and a continuous run switch. A side port is disposed in the housing and configured to receive a port connecting member and includes an interlocking feature. An interlock switch is disposed inside the side port. A switch engagement member is configured to engage the interlock switch such that the continuous run switch can be depressed. A bowl clamp is engageable with the side port and configured to removably secure the housing to a bowl and includes the switch engagement member. A side handle is engageable with the side port and is configured to be removably coupled with the housing and aid a user in handling the mixing appliance.